Outline & Evaluate romantic relationships in different cultures

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Outline and Evaluate Romantic Relationships in Different Cultures Relationships in different cultures can be studied by looking at individualistic cultures and collectivist cultures. Individualistic cultures focus on the well-being of the individual rather than the group and are usually present in western societies. Collectivist cultures are those where multiple individuals come together into a group, or community. These are often found in non-western cultures (parts of South America, India etc). Relationships in individualistic cultures differ from those in collectivist cultures as individualistic cultures are more accepting of impermanent relationships. Where as collectivistic cultures are more avoidant of uncertainty and so would want to avoid the risk of divorce especially when there are children involved for the sake of the family, as family is usually one of the most important things in a collectivist culture. In cultures where arranged marriages are the norm there is a difference in the priorities considered when choosing a partner, this will affect the formation and maintenance of the relationship.
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Priorities in choice will be social status, family relationships and wealth as opposed to individualistic cultures where priority is given to physical attractiveness, compatibility and love.    Divorce rates are extremely high for love marriages, compared to arranged marriages which have lower divorce rate. Moghaddam et al. suggested that this is because there is a greater choice of potential partners. i.e relationships are less permanent than those in non-Western cultures because couples have the choice whether to continue it or not.   Western individualistic cultures place great importance on the rights and freedom on an individual, whereas collectivist cultures place more importance ...

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